San Marino is a micro-country completely surrounded by Italy, but is independent from Italy. Nestled in the mountains of the Adriatic Sea a few hours south of Venice, it’s often overlooked by travelers. It’s the oldest country in the world and has incredible things to do (not to mention breathtaking views!). Here’s your Ultimate Guide to Visiting San Marino!
When I brought up the idea of stopping in San Marino during an Italian road trip, my husband looked at me confused. We had talked about the big cities, like Rome, but we weren’t quite at the “smaller” stops. It’s easy to be confused; San Marino is one of the oldest and smallest countries in the world. Needless to say, many people have not heard of a 23 sq mi city that is completely surrounded by Italy.
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If you want a guide to show you around this impressive country, I recommend these tours:
- Historical Center Private Tour
- Audio Guide Historic Walking Tour
- Guided Tour of the UNESCO Historic Center of San Marino
If you’re near Venice, then I highly suggest spending one night in San Marino! There are two ways to get to San Marino from Venice. One is inland and goes through Bologna. The other, which we took, is the coastal drive. Since it’s Italy, either drive would be beautiful. We got to stop in Rimini, a lovely beach vacation town for lunch and soft-serve ice cream at an adorable shop. We even dipped our feet in the Adriatic Sea!
San Marino History
San Marino is one of three countries completely surrounded by another country. The other two are Vatican City and Lesotho. It’s also the oldest country in the world, with its founding date being September 3rd, 301! This small but fierce country has survived over 1,700 years, has low unemployment rates, and has no national debt. The people who live in San Marino are not “Italians” – they are referred to as Sammarinese. They are very proud of their independence from Italy. This is one of the coolest things about visiting San Marino.
Fun fact: San Marino is also the only country that has more vehicles than people.
Upon arriving in San Marino, it is hard to miss the castle looming at the top of the mountain. That is to say: it is surprisingly easy to miss. When you’re looking for sharp features jutting up from the surrounding flatlands, there are a few in the area and I have to admit we took a wrong turn (this shouldn’t surprise you, as the blog states, I am directionally challenged). San Marino is the largest one. One of the best things to do in San Marino is to get your passport stamped at the visitor’s center at the bottom of the mountain. It’s a stamp not many people have!
Fun Fact: San Marino is not part of the European Union although they do use the euro as currency.
Things to do in San Marino
Like its name “The Most Serene Republic of San Marino” the country boasts a beautiful green landscape of rolling hills. One of the best things to do in San Marino is to enjoy the views! The towering walls of the town often have peeks into the countryside giving you a chance to look wherever you are!
Piazza Della Liberta
This is the most popular public square in San Marino. There are a number of shops in the square and places to eat. The Palazzo Pubblico, San Marino’s town hall and iconic building are also located here. You can even see the changing of the guard here.
Climb the Three Towers
This is easily my favorite thing to do and an absolute must-do! There are three towers that overlook the city and the countryside. They’re at the top of Monte Wear comfortable shoes as the roads are hilly and uneven.
It’s a 30 degree uphill walk, so be sure to enjoy the sights and visit the few shops that dot the way.
Guaita Tower
Guaita Tower is the oldest and grandest of the three. Built during the 11th century, it also packs a lot of history. To get to the top, there is a very steep “staircase” – which is more like a ladder. Good to know if you’re afraid of heights like me!
Cesta Tower
The Cesta Tower is on the highest peak of Monte Titano. There is a museum inside displaying an impressive collection of weapons. The weapons date back to medieval times and continue to the present day.
This museum also showcases how San Marino stood through wars, and cultural impacts, and yet still maintained its independence. It’s interesting to see all of the history in this tiny country.
Fun Fact: The three towers of Monte Titano are boasted on the San Marino flag and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Montale Tower
In complete honesty, we were going to go here as well, but we were short on time. There’s no entrance into the actual tower. In addition, you have to walk downstairs for about ten minutes and through some woods to get to it. It is currently not open to tourists (as of 2022).
Museums in San Marino
There is a National Museum of San Marino which is home to everything San Marino! Learn about the long history and the current issues facing the country today. Across the street from Hotel Cesare (where we stayed) is the Torture Museum as well. There’s also a Museum of Curiosity and the World of Leonardo. When visiting San Marino, you’ll realize that this country is small, but not boring!
Fun Fact: San Marino made Abraham Lincoln an honorary citizen.
Cava dei Balestrieri
This is a crossbowman’s quarry carved out of rock. If you’re lucky you can watch a performance of the federation of crossbowmen. It’s also home ot the Crossbowmen’s Palio which takes place every year on September 3rd as part of the national holiday.
After climbing up and down the hills all day, we were hungry, so we decided to go through the shops and check out the cafes for dinner. I’m semi-ashamed (I would be fully ashamed, but it was delicious) to say that my first pizza in “Italy” was actually in San Marino, but it was SO GOOD. I got the four cheese and it was amazing. After dinner, we walked back to our hotel and relaxed at the hotel. There was nothing better than enjoying some local wine with a view.
Where to stay in San Marino
It wouldn’t be a guide to visiting San Marino without our hotel recommendation! We made the very intense drive up the mountain around hairpin turns to our hotel: The Hotel Cesare. If you’re going to stay in San Marino, your best bet is to stay at the top of the mountain. I do believe you should spend a night here, but if you’re short on time, a day trip from Bologna is doable. It’s a 2-hour drive from Bologna (one way). You’ll have an easy walk to the castle, the restaurants, and of course the amazing view. This sounds commonplace but it is literally the difference of a thousand-plus vertical feet of elevation.
Pin “The Ultimate Guide to Visiting San Marino” for later
This place looks so charming! I wonder if anyone gets vertigo when looking down from the top of the castle? It has incredible views, but that drop! Yikes!!
Yes, it was quite a drop! I would imagine those with vertigo would be extra cautious! I’m afraid of heights and it was scary!
Wow, the view from the castle is incredible. How many days would you recommend to spend there?
Probably no more than two full days. It is small and there is just three parts of one castle.
Wow! I’ve never heard of San Marino and drove to and through both Venice and Bologna! I’ll have to check it out the next time I’m in Italy (which is hopefully soon)!
I always want to go back to Italy! And it’s so tiny you probably drove right by it haha!
What a beautiful looking place! I’ll have to save this post for later. I’d be most interested in seeing the tallest fortress, Monte Titano. Sounds like it would be a great trek!
I’ve never been to a Mictor-State, but San Marino looks stunning! Thanks for the tip about staying at the top of the mountain, saved my legs a lot of pain there haha!
Oh absolutely! I would not walk up that hill unless you paid me a lot of money haha!
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The castle looks so epic, what an incredible view you’d get from those towers too, even if the stairs to get there look a little nerve-wracking. San Marino, unlike Vatican City, isn’t really somewhere I’d have considered before reading this, but it sounds like a small but mighty place with a whole lot of history
The views from the castle definitely look amazing! Never heard of San Marino but think it should definitely need a stop for everyone!
Great guide to seeing San Marino and I am envious of you staying in Hotel Cesare. I stayed out of the centre which meant a long climb up the walkways to tke top each day of the two days I was there. You were at the centre of everything in that hotel, so its a good recommendation. I did peep into their cafe one day for a coffee but it was very full and busy and I didn;t have time to wait so skipped it. Nice choice of place to stay. I loved Sam Narino. In many areas its like steeping back a few hundred years as the buildings are so immaculately restored and atmospherical. I never knew San Marino is the oldest country in the world. I did find out that it is teh only country in the world to have two Heads of State who share the duties.
You had me at Italy! I really wish I snuck visiting here when I was in Venice. How can you resist climbing those towers to see those incredible views! It sounds like a great 1-nighter destination. I’m surprised to learn there are more cars than people.
Oh this was an interesting read and has potential for a visit if it is doable from Bologna. I’m intrigued, do you know what the deal with Abraham Lincoln and the link to the US is? Would you need a special visa to visit San Marino?
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
Those views and those attractions are stunning, it’d be amazing to get the chance to visit here at some point! Loved all the cool fun facts as well!
Never heard of San Marino but looks like such a fun little country! Never been to a micro country but definitely seems like. fun thing to explore!
Looks like such a beautiful place to stop!
Thanks for introducing me to San Marino! I’m in the planning stages of a trip to Italy next year, and this sounds like the perfect day trip from Venice. The castle view is amazing!
San Marino has never been on my radar, but your photos make it look stunning. I’d love to hike up those towers!
I actually live in Italy, but never made it to San Marino. After reading this article, you have convinced me to do that 🙂 And so much useful information, thank you for putting it together! Saved.
This is so embarrassing … I had no idea the country of San Marino existed! Ha – thank you for educating me! it looks lovely
This tiny country definitely packs a punch! The views from the castle are breathtaking and there seems to be much to do and explore on a trip to San Marino.
You sold me! I can’t believe I never heard of this country. I so wish I had visited during my trip to Venice. Great post!
Super cool! You don’t hear too much about people visiting San Marino. For such a small country, there are definitely a lot of things to do. Saving this for later, hopefully I can pay San Marino a visit as well!
Very cool! It’s great to read about a place so little visited!
Great post! I had no idea that San Marino is the smallest and oldest country in the world! I plan to visit Italy in the near future, and will refer back to this post then 😉
Awesome! I have a lot of Italy content as well and feel free to ask me anything!
As a fellow travel enthusiast, I find your blog incredibly relatable. Your personal anecdotes and reflections add a wonderful touch of authenticity to your posts. Your passion for exploration truly shines through!”
very perfect article thanks sharing it with us.